by Livia Grant
The sudden flash of the overhead florescent lighting hurt her eyes. She covered her face with her hands as she slouched down in her seat, desperate not to be seen. Her pupils adjusted to the light enough to open her eyes just in time to see Colton approaching her Honda, a worried look on his face. Once he saw her car was still there, she expected him to turn around and retreat, but he didn't stop until he stood next to the driver's side door. Just in the nick of time, she reached and flipped the door lock .
"What the hell are you doing sitting out here in the dark? I've been looking all over for you." He leaned down, pinning her with a seething glare. His anger surprised her .
"I'm going back to New York," she replied as she finally sat up .
"No you're not. At least not yet. Open up the door ."
Harper's pulse spiked. Didn't he know that she wanted to press that button more than anything else in the world? But then what? She'd only get hurt worse the more time she spent with him .
"Harper Louise Gardener, open the damn door ."
"How the hell do you know my middle name ?"
"I know lots about you. You need to seriously be more careful about what you post on social media. Guys don't need to know what kind of panties you wear ."
He'd been stalking her Facebook account? More importantly, she was sure there was at least a twinge of jealousy in his tone .
"I didn't think my choice in underwear was top secret ."
"Yeah, well…" He was flustered, running his fingers through his hair. "I mean it. Open the damn door ."
The second the click of the lock sounded, he swung it open, reaching in to pull her to her feet. Within a second, she was trapped, her back against the car, her front flush with the muscular chest she'd admired as he swam .
"Why the hell are you leaving? I told you, when Gavin gets back tomorrow, I'm calling it quits on the show ."
"Right. So I'll get fired, with everyone else on the crew ."
Her answer flustered him. "Okay, maybe I hadn't thought about that, but it doesn't matter. You don't need to leave. We have the estate through the end of the year ."
God, how she wanted to stay here and play house with him. It was a fairytale mansion. A fairytale man .
The problem was, fairytales weren't real .
He didn't wait for an answer. He moved her aside to grab her hastily packed bag from the back seat and closed up the car. Unlike their initial trek to her apartment on her first night there, tonight he grabbed her hand as they left the garage. Neither of them spoke as they walked across the expansive yard, passing by several barn cats out for their nightly stroll .
So much of being here reminded her of the best parts of growing up in the country. Instead of making her homesick, it just made her doubt her life decisions. She'd been so positive she belonged in a major city, but she wasn't so sure any more .
The pool house was thankfully quiet as she retraced her steps from an hour before. Colton needed both hands to carry her heavy bag up the stairs. As she followed him, she couldn't take her eyes off his perfect ass just inches away. They'd be alone again in less than a minute. Would he be a gentleman and leave her like he had after their ride that afternoon, or would he pick up where they'd left off the night before ?
She truly didn't know which option scared her more .
She didn't have to wait long for an answer. The second the door closed behind them, Colt threw the lock and turned to pounce on her. Unlike the night before where they had gone hands-free, tonight they were like magnets, unable to keep their hands off each other. Their lips locked, tongues dueling in the kind of kiss that made her knees weak .
He didn't need to instruct her. She knew instinctively what he wanted, unbuttoning his long-sleeve dress shirt and pressing it off his shoulders just as he set them apart long enough to pull her frilly top over her head and throw it to the floor on top of his shirt .
Their pants were next. It took several minutes since each was unzipping by touch only, unwilling to stop making out long enough to properly disrobe .
Only when the back of her knees hit the bed did she realize he'd been slowly shuffling them away from the door. As soon as she'd pulled his T-shirt over his head, Colton shoved her torso away from him, making her bounce as she landed with a plop on the bed, her feet still dangling towards the floor .
Their eyes met as his fingers worked their magic, pulling off her shoes and socks, leaving her lying below him in only her bra and panties. He finally slowed things down, leaving her to catch her breath as he took one step back, allowing her to watch him take off his own shoes and socks, leaving him in only his boxer briefs .
They hadn't spoken a word since they'd left the garage, but in that moment, she could see her own insecurities reflected back at her through his eyes. How could that be? The guy was a freaking Casanova. She told herself this was business as usual for him. It was the only way she'd have a chance at not being destroyed when he walked away from her as he had hundreds of women before her .
"What are you thinking about?" He frowned. When she didn't answer, he added, "Whatever it is, don't. You looked sad there for a second ."
She was sad. But she was also committed. Unless the pool house caught on fire, she was going to make love with Colton King. She might as well enjoy it. She'd have plenty of time to live with her regret of losing him later .
The second she let a smile play at her lips, he relaxed again, turning playful .
"Now, I think you have a few too many clothes still on. I need to get another look at you—up close and personal tonight ."
She chuckled. "You were pretty up close and personal last night too, if I recall ."
His fingers hooked in the elastic of her panties, slowly pulling them down her legs until they were in his hand. Harper almost self-combusted when he held her discarded intimate apparel to his nose and took a deep drag. The feral groan that followed went straight to her core .
Colton fell to his knees, reaching forward and pulling her bottom closer to the edge of the bed. He lifted her feet, placing them on his bare shoulders, spreading her open as he dove forward .
His tongue connected with the bottom of her slit, lightly licking upward in short laps that only fueled her passion for him. He teased her as he tasted her, using his fingers to hold her nether lips wide, exposing her shaved pussy. Harper closed her eyes, letting the ecstasy wash over her as he plunged a finger inside just as he sucked her swollen nubbin into his mouth .
He was prepared for her hips rising off the bed, holding on to her bent legs as handles as he ate her out with gusto .
Only after her first orgasm did he slow things down, building her up again. He was patient. So generous as a lover. She tried to only focus on the physical nature of their tryst, but with each passing second, their emotional bond grew stronger until Harper felt hot tears threatening .
He was so tuned into her body that he knew the exact second she tipped into her next climax, inserting his thumb in her most private hole while shoving several other digits in her pussy. The suction he applied on her clit was the final straw .
She was sure they had to hear her screaming his name up at the main house. The tears that had threatened earlier spilled down her cheeks. She'd never come so hard in all her life and was pretty sure it was a fluke. A once in a lifetime high .
Harper lay panting on the bed, recovering. She vaguely heard Colt moving around the room, but she was honestly too spent to crack her eyes open to see what he was doing .
It wasn't until he lifted her into his arms to carry her to the bathroom that she forced herself to perk up .
"You can put me down. I can walk." Suddenly self-conscious of her weight, she envisioned him throwing his back out and her being personally responsible for ending his career. Even she knew that was a bit melodramatic, and she started to giggle .
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br /> "I love the sound of your laughter ."
She was about to make an awkward joke about her size-ten body when he stepped into the bathroom, and all jokes left her brain. He'd brought several candles in from the bedroom and lit them, placing them strategically around the space. He'd drawn her a bath and, from the smell of the steam wafting up, had put in her favorite lavender oils .
Colton set her feet on the fluffy rug and reached for the back clasp of her bra. His breathing hitched just before he pulled the fabric away, getting his first look at her heavy breasts. They were the only benefit of carrying a few extra pounds, and from the sparkle in his eyes, Mr. King approved .
Like her pearl before, her hard nip found its way into his mouth. Teeth grazed the tender tip, sending electric shock waves through her entire body. It was a good thing he still supported her, or she might have toppled to the floor in a pool of melted goo .
"Oh God, that feels so fucking good." Her words encouraged him. Both his hands cupped and squeezed as his mouth migrated to her other peak, leaving a trail of wet kisses in the valley between her mounds .
He feasted on her as she clung to him, daring him to try to get away. The scruff of his day-old beard scratched her sensitive skin, yet she welcomed the sensation as it helped prove she wasn't just dreaming .
"Colton…" she pleaded, "I need you ."
He released her pebbled nipple only to ravage her lips instead. As they embraced, skin-on-skin for the first time, she lowered her hands to the waistband of his briefs, pulling them down to expose his steely erection .
Harper tried to fall to her knees to repay the oral favor, but Colton stopped her .
"I won't last a hot minute if you do that, baby. Let's get in the tub instead ."
"But…" she tried to argue .
He lifted his fingers to her lips to shush her. She picked up the scent of her cream on his digits. "No arguments. I want to talk ."
Her heart rate spiked, afraid of what he'd say. He helped her sink into the hot water, turning on the whirlpool jets before crawling into the oversized tub behind her. She let him settle against the end cushion before scooting back until their bodies locked together like puzzle pieces .
Every part of his body was muscle. He was lean and fit. Athletic and hard. Colton King was perfect .
And yet, as he held her in his embrace, massaging her body as he let his hands roam, memorizing her curves, she sensed a tenderness she hadn't anticipated. She'd expected full-out intensity from the larger-than-life man, so this romantic version of a lover humbled her .
Colton nuzzled her neck, nipping and licking, kissing and sucking. Flaming her internal heat higher. In return, she snaked her arm between their bodies, wrapping her hand around his girth, caressing and squeezing, kneading and pinching until he hissed against her ear. She knew he was close to exploding when his mouth clamped down on her shoulder so hard she whimpered as he growled the sexiest sound she'd ever heard .
Like the night before, Colt started barking orders. As a modern woman, she should be offended, but in that moment, the sheer carnality of his voice sent jolts of pure passion through every inch of her body .
"Turn around. Face me ."
As large as the tub was, it still took some maneuvering to reverse directions. The loss of their skin-on-skin connection was overshadowed by the ability to look into his gorgeous caramel brown eyes. He pulled her to him, opening her legs to wrap them around his waist .
The second the tip of his erection came into contact with her pussy, they each trembled, overwhelmed by the emotional connection .
He brushed a stray lock of her long hair away from her face as he asked a serious question .
"Please tell me you're on the pill. I don't understand it, but I need to come inside of you so bad ."
Part of her wanted to tease him, but the moment seemed too important for that. "I am," she whispered .
He didn't wait another minute. Colton lifted her in the water until his cock was poised to impale her, holding her there so long she had to prompt him .
"I'm ready." Her voice was breathy. The flames from the candles flickered in the otherwise dim room, casting what felt like a magical hue over them. Slowly, he eased her lower, letting gravity help impale her with his cock. The stretch was magnificent, wide enough to hurt just right .
The water had washed away some of her slickness, but she was more than excited enough to accommodate his girth. When her ass finally sat on his legs, the entire length of him buried inside her, a calmness filled her heart. It helped her relax and enjoy the feeling of him moving, lifting her only to release her again .
Colton was in control of her body and soul. In that moment, she'd do anything to make him keep the lustful gaze on his face for the rest of his life, or at least until the other six women could take note at breakfast the next day .
The pace of his thrusts became erratic the closer he got to his climax. The extremely fit man was breathing heavily as he chased his high. Water splashed higher as their rhythm changed tempo. By the time she felt his cock contracting, she was too far gone herself .
Colton grabbed her hips, pressing her down onto his erection as he grunted his sexy growl, tipping into his own pleasure. She wasn't far behind, the heat of the ropes of cum branding her from the inside .
She collapsed against him, wrapped in his arms, connected in the most intimate way. His hands groped her, exploring even as they caught their breath. They washed each other slowly, massaging sore muscles while mapping each other's body. By the time his cock had softened, slipping out of her, the water was starting to cool .
They went through the motions of preparing for bed, touching every chance they got. They blew out the candles and returned to the bedroom; it was getting late. She half expected him to get dressed and leave, yet she desperately wanted him to stay—to sleep with him, snuggled close, even if for just one night .
She almost cried with relief when he pulled back the covers and slid in next to her. They clung to each other in the darkness, petting until they each became drowsy. She didn't want to go to sleep and waste even a minute of their time together .
He read her mind. "Don't worry. I'm not leaving. At least not until morning ."
She relaxed in his arms. "I think I'll take a little nap then ."
Chapter Seven
T he sun was peeking over the horizon when Colton finally dragged himself out of Harper's bed. What he wanted to do was stay there for a week with Cecelia delivering food and drink to sustain them. But what he was going to do was find Gavin and put an end to the charade of a reality show .
Once he was dressed, he took a minute to watch over Harper, enjoying the peaceful look on her face as she slept. It was another first for him. He'd racked up many in the last few weeks. Hell, just in the last twenty-four hours he'd ridden horses with a woman, joined her on an impromptu picnic, treasured cuddling all night and now dreaded leaving her. All firsts for the confirmed bachelor .
The room smelled like sex, but it was no wonder considering they'd made love every few hours throughout the night. He leaned down to kiss her brow, hoping he could find Gavin and be back before she even woke up .
He pulled the door closed quietly behind him as he took the stairs down to the pool house. The two-story expanse was still dark, making the glow of a cigar stand out. The shadowy silhouette turned into Gavin as Colton got closer .
He was relieved. "I'm glad you're back. We need to talk ."
"Damn straight we do. I see you've been busy while I was away ."
Colton wondered how the producer even knew he wasn't asleep in his own bed. Regardless, he didn't want to have this conversation so close to the sleeping Harper. He suspected there would be raised voices involved and wanted to spare her .
"Let's go up to the house. We can put on some coffee," Colton suggested .
"Well, they'll find out soon enough that I'm out. I know you'll need to fine me for breach of contract, but I accept that's what I need to do ."
Gavin pinned him with an unreadable glare. "I'm afraid it isn't that simple ."
"Sure it is. I was under contract. I'm breaking it. You'll fine me and we'll call it a day ."
"Just like that?" he asked flatly. Colton didn't know how to reply, so he kept quiet until Gavin crossed the line. "She must be some piece of ass to throw the whole show down the fucking tube for her ."
As the producer's offensive words registered, Colton grabbed him by the collar and yanked him to his feet, easily manhandling the smaller man. "You'd better watch yourself, Wallace, or you'll end up with my fist in your face ."
The bastard had the nerve to flash a determined smile. "Go ahead. That'll make for a better show ."
"I told you, there is no show." Then it hit him. He glanced around, expecting to find a cameraman lurking in one of the shadows, relieved when they appeared to be alone .
Gavin's grim smile kept him on edge. " You really should have read the fine print better." He paused before adding, "And so should have Harper ."
His first alarm bell started going off. Colton shoved the wiry man away from him, trying to intimidate him. "Leave her out of this. This isn't her fault. I never should have signed up for this fucking circus in the first place ."
"On that we can agree, but there will be no leaving Harper out. In fact, she's ending up to be the star of the show ."
Colt grabbed him again, lifting the shorter man until his feet dangled like a runt about to be beaten up on the school playground. A hot rage he didn't understand coursed through his veins. He had always been competitive, but for the first time in his life, he wanted to do true harm to another human being .
